Multi-Line Breaker for HVdc Applications

Epameinondas Kontos, Tim Schultz, Laurens Mackay, Laura M. Ramirez-Elizondo, Christian M. Franck, Pavol Bauer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

72 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents a breaker arrangement concept, the Multi-Line Breaker (MLB), for the protection of multi-terminal high voltage dc (MTdc) networks. Based on the design of a hybrid breaker, the MLB is an economically attractive solution for the protection of multiple dc lines in nodal connection using a single main breaker path. By using commutation units, the MLB directs the fault current through the main breaker in a unidirectional way, irrespective of the fault location. Hence, this study presents the design requirements for the MLB, regarding both hardware and control, and evaluates its operation within a grid. For this reason, a four-terminal half-bridge MMC-based MTdc grid in radial configuration was used and pole-to-ground dc fault conditions were investigated. The dc fault response of the grid with one MLB at the central node is compared to the respective response of the grid when one hybrid breaker is employed at each dc line. The simulations show that the MLB is feasible and that the overall MTdc grid fault response for the two protection systems is very similar. As a result, the design advantages of the MLB make it a promising solution for the dc fault isolation in MTdc grids.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1469-1478
Number of pages10
JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Circuit breakers
  • Circuit faults
  • Fault currents
  • Hardware
  • HVdc circuit breakers
  • HVdc converters
  • HVDC transmission
  • HVdc transmission
  • Multiterminal networks
  • Switches
  • Topology

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